Light-Dependent Reaction

Photoionisation of Chlorophyll

The first step of the light-dependent reaction is the absorption of light energy by chlorophyll. This causes photoionisation, which is the release of electrons.

Light absorption

Light energy is absorbed by chlorophyll in the photosystems. This is the first step in photosynthesis.
Absorbing light energy excites the electrons within the photosystem.
The electrons are now in a more excited state. This causes them to be released from the chlorophyll.
Chlorophyll is now considered to be photoionised.

Energy from photoionisation

The photoionisation of chlorophyll also results in a release of energy.
This energy is used in photosynthesis to drive three reactions:
- Photophosphorylation - production of ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate.
- Reduction - production of reduced NADP from NADP.
- Photolysis - splitting of water into protons, electrons and oxygen.
These three reactions are necessary for photosynthesis to take place.

Production of ATP and Reduced NADP

During the light-dependent reaction, ATP and reduced NADP are produced. In this process electrons are transferred down the electron transfer chain and protons pass across the membranes of chloroplasts.

Electron transport chain

Light energy excites electrons in chlorophyll and the electrons are moved to a higher energy level (they are high-energy electrons).
High-energy electrons are released from the chlorophyll and transferred to an electron carrier.
Electron carriers are proteins located in the thylakoid membranes.
When high-energy electrons are released they are transferred along a chain of electron carriers.
The series of electron carriers is called the electron transport chain (ETC).

The proton gradient

As the electrons move down the ETC, they lose energy.
This energy pumps protons from the stroma into the thylakoids. The protons are being transported against their concentration gradient and this requires energy.
As protons build up inside the thylakoids, a proton gradient forms across the thylakoid membrane because the concentration of protons inside the thylakoids is greater than in the stroma.

Chemiosmosis

The protons diffuse down the concentration gradient across the thylakoid membrane through the ATP synthase enzyme.
As protons diffuse through the ATP synthase, energy is released.
This energy converts ADP and inorganic phosphate to ATP.
This process is called chemiosmosis.

Reduced NADP

When light energy is absorbed, high-energy electrons are released.
Some electrons are transferred directly to NADP. They are not passed along the ETC.
The electrons react with a proton in the stroma to produce reduced NADP.

Photolysis

Electrons can be replaced by photolysis.
In this process, light energy splits water into protons, electrons and oxygen.
The electrons can then replace those released when light is absorbed.

Cyclic Photophosphorylation

There are two types of photophosphorylation that take place during the light-dependent reaction: cyclic and non-cyclic photophosphorylation. Here, we will look at cyclic photophosphorylation.

Absorption of light by PSI

Cyclic photophosphorylation only involves PSI.
The process is initiated when light energy is absorbed by PSI.
Light energy excites electrons in the chlorophyll of PSI and the electrons are moved to a higher energy level (they are high-energy electrons).
This is photoionisation of chlorophyll.

Electron transport chain

High-energy electrons are released from the chlorophyll and transferred to an electron carrier.
The electrons are transferred along a chain of electron carriers in the electron transport chain (ETC).
Unlike in non-cyclic photophosphorylation, the electrons are not transferred from PSII to PSI.
Instead the electrons cycle continuously through the electron carriers to PSI.

The proton gradient

As the electrons move down the ETC, they lose energy.
This energy pumps protons from the stroma into the thylakoids.
- This is the same as in non-cyclic photophosphorylation.
As protons build up inside the thylakoids, a proton gradient forms across the thylakoid membrane.

Chemiosmosis

The protons diffuse down the concentration gradient across the thylakoid membrane through the ATP synthase enzyme.
As protons diffuse through the ATP synthase, energy is released.
This energy converts ADP and inorganic phosphate to ATP.
This process is called chemiosmosis.

Comparing cyclic and non-cyclic

In cyclic photophosphorylation:
- ATP is produced.
- No reduced NADP is produced.
- Electrons are continuously recycled.
- Photolysis does not take place.
In non-cyclic photophosphorylation:
- ATP and reduced NADP are produced.
- Electrons in PSII are replaced by photolysis.

1Cell Biology

2Molecular Biology

2.1Water

2.1.1Water & Hydrogen Bonding

2.1.2IB Multiple Choice - Water & Hydrogen Bonding

2.1.3Extended Response - Water

2.2Carbohydrates & Lipids

2.2.1Monosaccharides

2.2.2Disaccharides & Polysaccharides

2.2.3Triglycerides & Phospholipids

2.2.4Cellulose

2.2.5Starch & Glycogen

2.3Proteins

2.3.1Structure & Functions of Proteins

2.4Enzymes

2.4.1Enzymes

2.4.2Factors Affecting Enzyme Activity

2.4.3Enzyme-Controlled Reactions

2.4.4End of Topic Test - Enzymes

2.5Structure of DNA & RNA

2.5.1DNA & RNA

2.6DNA Replication, Transcription & Translation

2.6.1Protein Synthesis

2.6.2Transcription & Translation

2.6.3End of Topic Test - DNA, Genes & Protein Synthesis

2.6.4Exam-Style Question - Protein Synthesis

2.6.5End of Topic Test - Coronavirus Translation

2.6.6IB Multiple Choice - Transcription

2.6.7IB Multiple Choice - Translation

2.7Cell Respiration

2.7.1Overview of Respiration

2.7.2Anaerobic Respiration

2.7.3End of Topic Test - Anaerobic Respiration

2.7.4Respiration Experiments

2.7.5End of Topic Test - Respiration

2.7.6IB Multiple Choice - Respiration

2.8Photosynthesis

2.8.1Overview of Photosynthesis

3Genetics

4Ecology

4.1Species, Communities & Ecosytems

4.1.1Population Dynamics

4.1.2Communities & Measuring Diversity

4.1.3Relationships Between Populations

4.1.4Overview of Ecosystems

4.1.5Nutrient Cycles

4.1.6Fertilisers

4.1.7Eutrophication

4.1.8Chi-Squared Test

4.2Energy Flow

4.2.1Energy

4.2.2Energy Flow

4.2.3Biomass & Food Chains

4.2.4Heterotrophs & Autotrophs

4.3Carbon Cycle

4.3.1Carbon Cycle

4.4Climate Change

4.4.1Carbon Dioxide

4.4.2The Greenhouse Effect

4.4.3Global Warming

4.4.4Maintaining Biodiversity

5Evolution & Biodiversity

5.1Evidence for Evolution

5.1.1Evidence for Evolution - Fossils & DNA

5.1.2Evidence for Evolution - Anatomy & Geography

5.1.3IB Multiple Choice - Evidence for Evolution

5.1.4Extended Response - DNA & Evolution

5.2Natural Selection

5.2.1Introduction

5.2.2Evolutionary Fitness

5.2.3Natural Selection & Variation

5.2.4End of Topic Quiz - Natural Selection

5.2.5IB Multiple Choice - Natural Selection

5.2.6Speciation

5.3Classification of Biodiversity

5.3.1Introduction to Biodiversity

5.3.2Keystone Species

5.3.3Courtship & Ancestry

5.3.4Classification

5.4Cladistics

5.4.1Evolutionary Relationships

5.4.2IB Multiple Choice - Species & Taxonomy

6Human Physiology

6.1Digestion & Absorption

6.1.1Overview of Digestion

6.1.2Digestion in Mammals

6.1.3Absorption

6.1.4End of Topic Test - Substance Exchange & Digestion

6.1.5End of Topic Test - Substance Ex & Digestion

6.2The Blood System

6.2.1The Circulatory System

6.2.2The Heart

6.2.3Blood Vessels

6.2.4Cardiovascular Disease

6.3Defence Against Infectious Disease

6.3.1Immune System

6.3.2The Immune Response

6.3.3Antibodies

6.3.4Primary & Secondary Response

6.3.5Vaccines

6.3.6HIV

6.3.7End of Topic Test - Immune System

6.3.8Exam-Style Question - Immune System

6.3.9End of Topic Test - Immune System

6.4Gas Exchange

6.4.1Lung Structure & Alveoli

6.4.2Ventilation

6.4.3Lung Disease

6.4.4Lung Disease Data

6.5Neurons & Synapses

6.5.1Neuron Structure

6.5.2Transmission of an Impulse

6.5.3Speed of Transmission

6.5.4End of Topic Test - Neurones & Action Potentials

6.5.5Synapses

6.5.6Types of Synapse

6.5.7Medical Application

6.5.8End of Topic Test - Synapses

6.5.9End of Topic Test - Nervous Comm&Coord

6.6Hormones, HomeoStasis & Reproduction

6.6.1Overview of Homeostasis

6.6.2Blood Glucose Concentration

6.6.3Controlling Blood Glucose Concentration

6.6.4End of Topic Test - Blood Glucose

6.6.5Type I & Type II Diabetes

6.6.6Human Reproductive Systems

6.6.7Hormonal Control of the Menstrual Cycle

7AHL: Nucleic Acids

7.1DNA Structure & Replication

7.1.1DNA

7.1.2RNA

7.1.3DNA Replication

7.1.4DNA Replication - Summary

7.1.5IB Multiple Choice - DNA Replication

7.2Transcription & Gene Expression

7.2.1Introduction to Transcription & Protein Synthesis

7.2.2Types of RNA

7.2.3Transcription

7.2.4RNA Processing in Eukaryotes

7.2.5IB Multiple Choice - Transcription

7.3Translation

7.3.1Translation

7.3.2Retroviruses

7.3.3Scientific Practices: Coronavirus

7.3.4IB Multiple Choice - Translation

8AHL: Metabolism, Cell Respiration & Photosynthesis

8.1Metabolism

8.1.1Molecules to Metabolism

8.2Cell Respiration

8.2.1Glycolysis

8.2.2Aerobic Respiration

8.3Photosynthesis

8.3.1Light-Dependent Reaction

8.3.2Light-Independent Reaction

8.3.3End of Topic Test - Photosynthesis Reactions

8.3.4Limiting Factors

8.3.5Photosynthesis Experiments

8.3.6End of Topic Test - Photosynthesis

8.3.7End of Topic Test - Photosynthesis

9AHL: Plant Biology

9.1Transport in the Xylem of Plants

9.1.1Structure

9.1.2Cohesion-Tension Theory

9.1.3Investigating Transpiration Rate

9.2Transport in the Phloem of Plants

9.2.1Structure

9.2.2Translocation

9.3Growth in Plants

9.3.1Plant Tropisms

10AHL: Genetics & Evolution

10.1Meiosis

10.1.1Stages of Meiosis

10.2Inheritance

10.2.1Linked Genes

10.2.2Sex-Linked Genes

10.2.3Non-Nuclear Inheritance

10.2.4Chi-Squared Test

10.2.5End of Topic Quiz - Inheritance

10.2.6IB Multiple Choice - Non-Mendelian Genetics

10.2.7Introduction to Non-Mendelian Inheritance

10.2.8Extended Response - Inheritance

10.2.9Grade 4-5 (Scientific Practices) - Inheritance

10.3Gene Pools & Speciation

10.3.1Populations

10.3.2Mutations, Genetic Drift, & Gene Flow

10.3.3Speciation

10.3.4Rate of Speciation

10.3.5Allopatric & Sympatric Speciation

11AHL: Animal Physiology

11.1Antibody Production & Vaccination

11.1.1Immune System

11.1.2The Immune Response

11.1.3Antibodies

11.1.4Primary & Secondary Response

11.1.5Vaccines

11.2Movement

11.2.1Skeletal Muscle

11.2.2Sliding Filament Theory

11.2.3Contraction

11.3The Kidney & Osmoregulation

11.3.1Kidneys & Osmoregulation

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